As an agency heavily involved with spatial and mapping information, the CGS is moving more and more to dynamic GIS data presentation for ease-of-use and for the many options that GIS tools allow. Almost all of our current projects and publications have substantial GIS components.
Please see the mapping section for more detailed information about how we generate and process spatial information.
Many of our publications include GIS_Data directories as part of the downloadable package. As always, this data is free and may be used within many standard GIS applications. We do most of our GIS production work using ArcGIS from ESRI, with the Avenza app as the go-to for field mapping and data geolocation.
Note: The CGS no longer serves LiDAR data because the State of Colorado recently opened a new map portal—Colorado Hazard Mapping—that accepts requests from the public for available statewide LiDAR data. Once you are at the Hazard Mapping site, look for the tab LiDAR Request form at the top of the screen to make your request. Statewide LiDAR coverage is found on the main Hazards map.
Colorado Department of Local Affairs GIS Portal — A repository for a wide range of statewide GIS data downloads.
We are slowly building out our library of web applications that offer refined ‘views’ of Colorado geology along the associated derivatives. We are sure that these are of use to our various constituencies. At the moment, we continue to assess our entire GIS dataspace for new packages of data that we can bring online in the next months.
ENERGY
ON-005-01 — Colorado Geothermal Resources —
GENERAL GEOLOGY
ON-001 — Colorado Earthquake and Fault Map — shows a variety of information including Cenozoic faults. (supersedes publications B-46; B-52; B-52B, and IS-60)
ON-04-01 — StateMap Progression Map — shows the quadrangles that have been geologically mapped across the state, both USGS and CGS maps. Of Colorado’s approximately 1,800 7.5-minute quads, more than 500 have been mapped and there are usually around ten that are in progress at any one time.
HAZARDS
ON-001 — Colorado Earthquake and Fault Map — shows a variety of information including Cenozoic faults. (supersedes publications B-46 & B-52 & B-52B & IS-60)
ON-006-01 — Statewide Landslide Inventory Map —
ON-006-02 — Statewide Index of Landslide Susceptibility Data —
ON-006-03 — Raspberry Shake live link —
ON-006-04 — Statewide Collapsible Soils —
ON-006-05 — Seismic Stations —
ON-006-06 — Colorado Historic Coal Mines —
MINERALS
ON-007-01 — Aggregate Resources of Colorado —
ON-007-02 —
ON-007-03 — Mineral Resource Potential Derivative Map — The CGS compiled mineral resource derivative maps using 7.5-minute quadrangles published under the current CGS STATEMAP geologic mapping program. Derivative maps are generalizations of detailed geological information that are used to assist non-geologists with evaluating complex geological information. These mineral derivative maps were created from digital geologic map data and historical mine locations to provide information on the general distribution of select potential mineral resources.
ON-007-04 — Sand and Gravel Geology —
ON-007-05 — StoryMap: Colorado Aggregate Resources – Geology and Industry Overview —
ON-007-06 — Critical Minerals of Colorado —
ON-007-07 — Reconnaissance of Potential Sand Sources in Colorado for Hydraulic Fracturing —
ON-007-08 — Historic Mining Districts of Colorado —
ON-RS-47 — Reconnaissance of Potential Sand Sources in Colorado for Hydraulic Fracturing —
WATER
ON-008-01 — Statewide County Groundwater (Base) Map(s) —
ON-008-06 – Park County Aquifer Study —
ON-OF-15-10 — Geology and Groundwater Resources of Douglas County, Colorado
ON-OF-15-11 — Geology and Groundwater Resources of Park County, Colorado
ON-OF-16-04 — Geology and Groundwater Resources of Chaffee County, Colorado
ON-OF-17-01 — Geology and Groundwater Resources of Mesa County, Colorado
ON-010 — Colorado Groundwater Atlas — This is the web-based text along with many graphics that explore the most current state of Colorado’s groundwater.
ON-010 — Colorado Groundwater Atlas (GIS) — Includes the full extent of GIS-based groundwater data currently available. This complex map is the GIS half of our new web-based Groundwater Atlas.
Third-Party Resources
Colorado Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Information map — May also be accessed through the CDPHE at the Mine Impacted Streams TaskForce. The user interface is a GIS platform and includes AML information layers which can be projected on road maps, satellite imagery, property ownership maps, watershed maps, and more.
USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) — MRDS is a collection of reports describing metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources throughout the world. Included are deposit name, location, commodity, deposit description, geologic characteristics, production, reserves, resources, and references.
USGS/AASG National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) — The collaborative national mapping database with a wide variety of ways to see and download geological map information from both federal and state agencies.
Colorado Hazard Mapping & Risk MAP Portal — A service of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), features a extensive range of GIS and other online assets related to the CWCB mission to protect statewide water resources.
Colorado Department of Local Affairs GIS Portal — A repository for a wide range of statewide GIS data downloads.
The CGS began working on a select number of projects some time ago, to present them as StoryMaps, we’ve gotten one done:
ON-007-05 — StoryMap: Colorado Aggregate Resources – Geology and Industry Overview
Third-Party Resources:
ESRI — a major player in the GIS world — introduced the online platform called StoryMaps in 2016. It has since become an important tool in conveying GIS information in a form that is more accessible to the general public.
The Bare Earth — This narrative features over 50 intriguing LiDAR images that help illustrate how geologists in Washington are using this fascinating technology to study the landscape.